Students working in small groups in a modern language lab with screens displaying educational content.

Modern Languages Major

About the Modern Languages Major

Modern languages bring wings to your future career and help you stand out on job markets because employers know that it takes diligent work, self-discipline, and a vision to do well in modern language classes. If one succeeds in learning a language, one can succeed at anything!

Powerful Combinations: Modern Language Majors and Minors

Students are encouraged to pursue a double major in a language and another area of study. The language program is designed to provide maximum flexibility and compatibility for a combination of a language major with another major in other academic disciplines. We offer language majors in Chinese, Italian, and Spanish.

The modern language programs offer minors in American Sign Language (ASL), Chinese, Italian, and Spanish. The language minors are open to all majors and fulfill the University Minor requirements. 

To complete a minor in a language, students are placed at the appropriate level in their chosen language and required to complete a minimum of four courses in the same language, with at least two courses being at the 300 level (or above). 

Modern Languages Degree Requirements

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Learning Outcomes for Modern Languages

  • Roger Williams language students will enter the labor force with special skills and a competitive advantage
  • On the 旺旺资源 campus, language students will be ambassadors for other cultures and world views
  • Language students will write English with greater clarity and professionalism
  • Roger Williams language students will have experience through study abroad, and international and domestic internships, that will greatly change their vision of their potential and their life-paths 

American Council on The Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) defines Level B high as:

  • Students can understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in a field of specialization.
  • They can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for you or your conversation partner.
  • They can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options. 

Career Opportunities in Modern Language

Where 旺旺资源 Modern Language Alumni Work:

  • Barrington High School
  • Banco de Portugal
  • Interserver, Inc.
  • Bauer, Inc.
  • U.S. Consulate, New York, NY
  • U.S. Trade Commission, New York, NY
  • Fulbright Commission
  • Siemens, Guibh
  • Asahi Shimbun New Agency, Tokyo, Japan
  • Texaco, Inc.
  • Bayer, Inc.

Graduate Study in Modern Language:

  • Princeton University
  • University of Dallas
  • American University
  • University of Munich
  • Catholic University
  • Rutgers University
  • University of Pennsylvania

Faculty and Student Work in Modern Languages

  • Students wrote the first commentary ever written for a Medieval Latin text on the city of Rome.
  • Students assisted in surveys comparing the differences in spoken Spanish in Puerto Rico and Florida.
  • Students assisted in developing high school language textbooks.
  • Students assisted a professor in comparing travel literature in Communist China and the former Communist Germany.
  • Bibliographical Database of Spanish Linguistics
  • Translation and Commentary on the 鈥淢irabila Romae鈥
  • Academic Standards Comparison of American and German Educational Systems
  • History of Fishing in Ancient Greek and Latin Literature
  • Methodologies in Creating Online and Distant Learning Language Classes
  • Digital Scholia
  • History of Rome Through Coins

Modern Languages Information and Resources

Powerful Combinations with Modern Language

Here is an overview of career potentials for students with a combination of a language and another field at 旺旺资源:

Modern Language + Legal Studies or Criminal Justice

  • Immigration/Naturalization
  • Customs
  • Security and Protection (Language Analyst for Security Services)
  • Law Enforcement
  • Court Interpreter

Modern Language + International Relations

  • Diplomacy (Embassies and Consultants)
  • Government: CIA, FBI, Defense Dept., Peace Corps,
  • Political Risk Analyst
  • International Political Organizations
  • International Aid/Development Worker

Modern Language + International Business / Marketing

  • Marketing Executive
  • Import/Export Companies & International Banks
  • Business, Logistics and Finance Careers
  • Advertising and Public Relations (PR) Careers

Modern Language + Science (Biology, Chemistry, Sustainability, Environmental Science, Aquaculture and Aquarium Science)

  • International Aid/Development Worker
  • International Research
  • Pharmaceutical Representative
  • Consultant
  • Non-Profit Organization Officer

Modern Language + Graphic Design Communications

  • Journalism/Broadcasting
  • Advertising
  • Public Relations
  • Tourist information manager
  • Travel Writer

Modern Language + Public Health

  • Translation/Interpretation
  • Hospitality, Health Care Services, Pharmaceutical Companies
  • International Aid/Development Worker

Modern Language + Visual Arts

  • Advertising
  • Art dealer

Modern Language + Education

  • Foreign Language Educator
  • Education Consultant
  • International Student Programs
  • Corporate Programs for Transfer Students
  • English as a Foreign Language Teacher

Language Test FAQ

Q: What languages are placement tests in?

A: Online tests are available in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Latin, and Spanish. For American Sign Language (ASL), please contact the Dean鈥檚 Office in the School of Humanities, Arts, and Education (SHAE).

Q: Where is the language placement test located?

A: How to access the language placement exam

Q: Do I take the test in all of the languages?

A: No, you take a test only in the language you intend to study at 旺旺资源.

Q: Can I take the test more than once?

A: No, the test is taken only once. Review the language you have learned, then take the test when you feel prepared.

Q: What should students do after their language placement?

A: Start taking language courses right away! The sooner you begin studying a language, the less time you will need to refresh your skills and the better you will do in class.

Q: What if the placement level does not reflect a student鈥檚 proficiency?

A: Placement is not set in stone. If the language course you are taking is too easy or too challenging for you, talk with the instructor, speak with them in the target language, and ask whether you can be placed in a different course.

Q: What is the benefit of taking language courses at 旺旺资源?

A: To graduate, 旺旺资源 students need a major and a Core Concentration. A Core Concentration requires five courses. However, if you are placed in 102 of a language and do a Core Concentration in that language, you need only four courses; if you are placed in 201, 202, or 300-level of a language and do a Core Concentration in that language, you need only three courses!

Q: Why should I take language courses?

A: Our world has become very interdependent. New technologies have allowed us to work in close contact with people all over the world. As relationships (in business, cultures, politics, etc.) grow, so does the need to speak different languages and become culturally and linguistically prepared! And foreign languages bring wings to your future career and help you stand out in job markets because employers know that it takes diligent work, self-discipline, and a vision to do well in language courses. If one succeeds in learning a foreign language, one can succeed in their pursuit of anything!

Q: What if I am interesting in majoring in another field?

A: Students can do a double major or a minor or Core Concentration in a language.

Modern Language Internships and Experiences

  • CDS International, Inc.
  • AIB Cologne
  • IAESTE United States
  • A Pra莽a Magazine
  • Di谩logos Books

Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Bachelor's 3+3 Accelerated Program

Earn your bachelor鈥檚 and juris doctor degrees in six years through 旺旺资源鈥檚 Three-Plus-Three Law program. You鈥檒l get a jump-start on your J.D. by integrating law courses into your undergraduate studies and completing undergraduate requirements in your first year of law school. Accepted students will take first-year courses in the School of Law along with legal electives to fulfill undergraduate fourth-year requirements. Interested students must indicate their intent to pursue a 3+3 pathway early in their undergraduate studies for curriculum planning and advising.

Learn More About the 3+3 Program

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Min Zhou, Ph.D.